Contemporary societies are characterised by new and more flexible working patterns, new family structures and widening social divisions. This book explores how these macro-level changes affect the micro organisation of daily life, with reference to working patterns and gender divisions in Northern and Western Europe and the United States.

Through detailed comparative analysis and case studies from France, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the US, this collection demonstrates how, despite globalisation and the spread of neo-liberalism, states still exercise some autonomy in terms of the implementation of equalities and 'city time' policies. These policies affect people's capacity to organise their daily lives and ameliorate the adverse impact of new working patterns. However, the authors also show that, despite the proliferation of work-life balance policies which potentially encourage a greater reconciliation of caring and paid work, inequalities in the distribution of paid work and caring between men and women remain remarkably resilient.

Bringing together academic analysis and policy studies, Gender Divisions and Working Time in the New Economy will appeal to students and scholars of comparative social policy, economic sociology, economic geography and sociology. In particular, those with an interest in issues of employment relationships, gender, welfare states, working time, work-life balance and 'city time' will find the book to be of great value.

About the Author
Edited by Diane Perrons, Director, Gender Institute and Reader in Economic Geography and Gender Studies, London School of Economics, Colette Fagan, former Co-Director, European Work and Employment Research Centre and Professor of Sociology, University of Manchester, Linda McDowell, Professor of Human Geography, School of Geography, University of Oxford and Professorial Fellow, St John's College, Kath Ray, Head of Research Learning and Work Institute and Kevin Ward, Reader in Geography, University of Manchester, UK

Reviews
'. . . the book presents leading-edge research on a variety of issues associated with work/life integration and gender equity. It will be of value to academic researchers and students of gender, employment and social trends, and its release in paperback should extend its accessibility.'



Book Information
ISBN 9781847204974
Author Diane Perrons
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd